Richelieu determined to attack the town by assault; the trenches were opened on the 5th of November; on the 10th the garrison parleyed; on the 14th the place was surrendered.

"I am very pleased to send you word that we have recovered Corbie," wrote Voiture to one of his friends, very hostile to the cardinal [_OEuvres de Voiture,_ p.

175]: "the news will astonish you, no doubt, as well as all Europe; nevertheless, we are masters of it.

Reflect, I beg you, what has been the end of this expedition which has made so much noise.

Spain and Germany had made for the purpose their supremest efforts.